My Halal Kitchen|Recipes by Yvonne Maffei » documentarieshttp://myhalalkitchen.com
Sat, 01 Aug 2015 07:30:00 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3Food Insecurity in America: A Place at the Tablehttp://myhalalkitchen.com/food-insecurity-america-place-table/
http://myhalalkitchen.com/food-insecurity-america-place-table/#commentsFri, 18 Apr 2014 18:09:20 +0000http://myhalalkitchen.com/?p=16537Perhaps one of the reasons many people are regaining interest in gardening today is due to the conscious or subconscious fear of food insecurity. We hear so much about food-borne illness due to crops like spinach being contaminated with e.coli, meat recalls for a variety of reasons mostly related to unhealthy animals living in deplorable ...

]]>Perhaps one of the reasons many people are regaining interest in gardening today is due to the conscious or subconscious fear of food insecurity. We hear so much about food-borne illness due to crops like spinach being contaminated with e.coli, meat recalls for a variety of reasons mostly related to unhealthy animals living in deplorable conditions, and the rising price of just about everything either due to speculations in food and gas availability (whether directly or indirectly related to our haphazard weather patterns globally).

People also feel insecure, not knowing what’s actually in our foods and what’s not (think GMOs) as well as whether or not they’ll be able to afford good and healthy food for their families while wages don’t seem to be going up much to catch up with the rising costs associated with the transportation and delivery of fresh, unprocessed foods.

As a result, it’s no secret that we have undernourished people, including children, who are food insecure in America. Although we know this is the case across the globe, it’s a real eye-opener to see it happening in a place we honestly don’t expect it to be. Subhanallah.

As global citizens, as citizens of our nations, our cities, our towns and our communities, we can all make a difference to be a part of the change, even if it’s in a small way. Grow a garden. Grow a little extra. Teach other people how to do it. Share your harvest. These are just a few ideas.

This is the documentary I watched, A Place at the Table, to understand more about food insecurity in America and am deeply jolted and saddened to see how many children are developing serious health issues due to undernourishment. I have faith and hope that all of us who can do something to help, will. I’m especially delighted to see famed Top Chef Judge Tom Colicchio talking about it in this film- it’s awesome to see folks in the culinary industry push for a change when it comes to fighting hunger.

]]>http://myhalalkitchen.com/food-insecurity-america-place-table/feed/1Is it Possible to Reverse Diabetes without Prescription Medication?http://myhalalkitchen.com/possible-reverse-diabetes-without-prescription-medication/
http://myhalalkitchen.com/possible-reverse-diabetes-without-prescription-medication/#commentsThu, 06 Feb 2014 03:57:58 +0000http://myhalalkitchen.com/?p=16232I’m a huge fan of learning as much as possible about doing things naturally. Some would say that it’s simply not possibly to reverse serious illness or regenerate health or even our global ecosystem by natural {and healthy} means. I truly believe that if we seek, we shall find and that goes for all of ...

]]>I’m a huge fan of learning as much as possible about doing things naturally. Some would say that it’s simply not possibly to reverse serious illness or regenerate health or even our global ecosystem by natural {and healthy} means. I truly believe that if we seek, we shall find and that goes for all of the above situations. It’s been proven, for example, that our deserts can bloom when the soil is reconstructed by feeding it the natural vitamins and minerals it is lacking; so, too, for the human body- don’t you think?

Alhamdullilah, I am not afflicted with diabetes, but sadly I know too many people who are. Unfortunately, many people are quite reluctant to move away from prescription drugs to deal with the illness and all the symptoms that come from taking serious medications, like statins and insulin. I’m no doctor (as I’ve been reminded plenty), but I pay close attention to results. I pay close attention to responses in nature- when we treat our bodies and our environment well, when we restore it back to health and treat it with care and concern, it can heal. And that’s an amazing thing.

Which is why I enjoyed this documentary very much, and I hope you will, too. I originally found it on a wonderful website called Documentary Stream, but it has since been removed from that site and so I found it on You Tube instead. Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section. Let’s start a discussion!

P.S. Here’s a recipe I made the day after watching the show- not necessarily vegan but chock full of veggies and healthy protein.

]]>http://myhalalkitchen.com/possible-reverse-diabetes-without-prescription-medication/feed/0Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World [Giveaway]http://myhalalkitchen.com/islamic-art-mirror-of-the-invisible-world-giveaway/
http://myhalalkitchen.com/islamic-art-mirror-of-the-invisible-world-giveaway/#commentsMon, 02 Jul 2012 17:24:36 +0000http://www.myhalalkitchen.com/?p=10480I love documentaries of all kind, particularly those about health, food, the economy and, of course, Islamic history. It’s so much more interesting to me to watch something that is fact-based because I feel as though I’ve spent some of my precious down time actually learning something important, something that I can carry with me like a treasure and ...

]]>I love documentaries of all kind, particularly those about health, food, the economy and, of course, Islamic history. It’s so much more interesting to me to watch something that is fact-based because I feel as though I’ve spent some of my precious down time actually learning something important, something that I can carry with me like a treasure and pass on to others during interesting conversation, teaching, or through this blog.

DVD cover- Courtesy of UPF

That’s why I want to share with you Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World, a documentary about the history of Islamic art, textiles and the historic use of the world’s natural elements by Muslims to construct the variouis types of infrastructure that would eventually characterize Muslim cities and lands throughout history, much of which still stands today and is admired by people throughout the world.

the glorious architecture of the Taj Mahal, inspired by Islamic design. photo courtesy of UPF

What I love about the documentary is that it not only does it discuss the geographic location or structural design of various edifices built by Muslims, but it also goes into great detail about the crafstpeople behind the glorious work they created within the bounds of Islamic values and beliefs. For example, have you ever wondered how textiles were colored such amazing bright hues and how the art of calligraphy was taught to those who painted structures so many of us admire with the written words of Allah (swt)? What about rug weaving and looming?

All of these topics and more are touched upon in this documentary, set to air on PBS July 6, at 9:00 PM EST. Check your local listings for details. Now the whole country can experience this journey which is set in beautiful motion, much like Producer Michael Wolfe’s other documentaries on Islam. And you can get a free copy of the DVD- here’s how:

Giveaway Details

I’m delighted to be giving away two copies to two different winners, courtesy of UPF. Just follow these guidelines:

1) Enter once a day, if you like (maximum one entry per 24 hours per person) by responding to the questions below

2) giveaways limited to U.S. residents only

3) giveaway closes July 7 at 12:01 a.m. CST

Do you have a favorite type of Islamic design or a structure inspired by Islamic art? Have you ever seen any of the grand masajid (mosques) or other Islamic structures around the world up close and personal?What are your thoughts on Islamic textiles- the colors, the fabric, the designs?

Share your comments below for a chance to win a copy of the DVD sent directly to you!